Kris Dielman

Infobox NFLactive


|caption=
currentteam=San Diego Chargers
currentnumber=68
currentpositionplain=Left guard
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|2|3
birthplace=Goshen, Indiana
heightft=6
heightin=4
weight=310
debutyear=2003
debutteam=San Diego Chargers
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (2007)
college=Indiana
undraftedyear=2003
pastteams=
* San Diego Chargers (2003-current)
nfl=DIE355962

Kristopher M. Dielmancite web|title=Dielman on Pro-Football-Reference |work=rbref.com |url=http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DielKr20.htm |accessdate=2007-12-20] (born February 3, 1981) is an American football guard who currently plays for the San Diego Chargers.

High School and College career

A graduate of Troy High School in Troy, Ohio, Kris was known as the "Real Deal". Dielman was an all-state and all-conference linebacker and tight end, he also lettered in basketball. Then he went on to play at Indiana University. Kris played tight end at IU under former Charger offensive coordinator Cam Cameron [ [http://iuhoosiers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042803aaa.html Dielman, Brandt Sign With NFL Teams ] ] and current Charger co-offensive line coach Hal Hunter earning All-Big 10 honors his junior year. Dielman's blocking was a huge contribution to the success of then-IU quarterback Antwaan Randle El, who became the first player in the history of NCAA football with 8,000 pass yards and 3,000 rush yards in Dielman's junior season. Cameron was Dielman's head coach and Hunter was his offensive coordinator. Once Cameron got a job as the Charger offensive coordinator, Hunter left for North Carolina. Dielman's new coaching staff started playing him more at defensive line, a position he had experience throughout his college career and where he later became a a team captain during his senior season. [ [http://www.chargers.com/news/headlines/what-a-diel.htm Chargers.com - News » Headlines » What a Diel! ] ]

NFL career

an Diego Chargers

Dielman went undrafted out of college, but signed on with the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers converted him from a defensive tackle to an offensive lineman, and before long Dielman had established himself as a starter at left guard. Right away Dielman made a name for himself in large part due to his gritty, hard-nosed, oldschool style of play on the offensive line. By the his fourth year in the league Dielman was a rising star and an integral part of LaDainian Tomlinson's record breaking 2006 season. Dielman's teammates referred to him as their "enforcer" and "battering ram". Dielman was chosen as a 1st Alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl.

In the off-season the Seattle Seahawks offered him a large contract worth 48.2 million but he returned to San Diego to sign a six year deal with the Chargers that guarantees him 17 million over the first two years and is potentially worth 39 million, becoming one of the highest paid guards in the NFL.

In an interview with USA Today's Jim Corbett, Charger general manager AJ Smith remarked, "He's a special kid. The loyalty he showed is very, very rare. I knew if he could just be paid like a premier guard, he would stay with us because of who he is. Seattle was legitimate, and he didn't want any part of it. He said, 'I want to go home with my team.' It's the best thing in the world to happen for us. He's a Pro Bowler waiting to happen." [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/chargers/2007-04-04-sw-kris-dielman_N.htm Dielman's loyalty to Chargers shines through - USATODAY.com ] ]

References